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Thursday, June 03, 2010

May 27, 2010: Gertrude Stree Grub - Wabi Sabi Salon

To celebrate my birthday I decided to drag a bunch of my work buddies out for lunch somewhere nearby. A couple of them were very enthusiastic about Wabi Sabi Salon, which Cindy and I have shamefully never visited (never managing to go past Peko Peko), so I booked us in for a quick visit.

The tiny shop-front gives no indication of what lies within - a small number of tables inside, a pleasant-looking upstairs area and a cute little Japanese garden out the back. We were lucky enough to get the big outside table, which made up in atmosphere what it lacked in legroom.

The lunch menu has fewer options than the restaurant offers for dinner but there's still plenty for vegetarians: noodles, rice-bowls, salads and curries all have non-meat or fish choices. The stars of the lunch-time show are the bento box specials - with rotating meat, fish and vego alternatives. I couldn't resist sampling a box of vegetarian goodies ($11).

This was a beautiful meal - the meat-free main of the day was a deliciously fried tofu steak ($11), which was swimming in a subtle, brothy sauce with tender pieces of eggplant to top things off. But the whole thing is made by the combination: you get a beautiful little sweet potato side, some cute pickled vegies, a big pile of perfectly cooked rice and a leafy salad with a tangy dressing. While there was heaps of food in this cute little box, it all had a light freshness meaning you walk out satisfied but not bloated - and everything tasted amazing.

It's ridiculous that this is my first sampling of the delights of Wabi Sabi - it's well within walking distance of work and serves up reasonably priced, brilliantly presented and tasty meals. I'm going to return again and again.

I am also quite partial to bento boxes. We sometimes go to Meshiya on Lonsdale, they do a great tofu bento with vegie gyoza. Although I do wonder whether the miso has bonito, and am still too timid in demanding ingredients of stuff at restaurants XD

hey guys, i really like your blog, it's great. just thought i'd let you know that i referenced it in a uni blogging assignment, hope thats ok. feel free to take a look. i've done a pretty shoddy job of the blog overall, but yknow.www.thebreakfastclubcarlton.wordpress.com thanks, clare